Is this dangerous?

[davidb]

I recently had to order a new jib, which led me to look closely at the top of the forestay as it comes out of the CDI roller furler. I was dismayed to find that the wire looked as though it had been un-spun - instead of being tightly woven or spun together, the wires that make up the stay look as though they have been forced apart.

Obviously, my question is, does this indicate a dangerous level of wear? Do I need to replace my forestay?

I have attached pictures below - sorry about the quality, I took them with my cell phone and couldn't see the screen well enough to tell that the last two were a little out of focus. Also, in the last two, the black area that is more or less vertical (at right angles to the stay) is a spot of dirt on the side of my boat, not a part of the stay. It's visible in the first photo a little below the stay.

 

[heart of gold]

That doesn't look good, I'd replace it

 

[Ed A]

No question about it. replace it now before you use it.

 

[isaksp00]

Due to a broken roller furling connector (Harken) I had to replace my forestay. I'd have done it anyway, as the wires were somewhat unlayed at the eye as with yours. 5/32 wire (if that is what you use) is about $1/foot, and of course you need to have a new eye swaged on, or use a removable eye like a Hayn, and whatever the CDI uses at the bottom. Since my Harken used a StaLok threaded stud at the bottom, I decided to also use a removable eye fitting, and ended up with a Hayn at about $25, which is similar to the swaged eye cost with swaging labor.

 

[DJN51]

Look at sesmiths forum post [forestay failure].I added a swivel as his post.Will take a lot o strain off t ball fitting and allow multiple movement.Had a new complete forstay made $.135.00.Contact Bill Fastiggi at Vermont Sailing Partners.802-655-7245.Great guy to work with,will make it right.

 

[BrianW]

I had similar problems on my H26. I used Rigging Only. I think I spend slightly less than $100, including spare parts for a StaLok fitting. THE most IMPORTANT thing is to figure out what caused the forestay to unwrap or it will do the same thing again. BrianW

 

[DJN51]

davidb,Make sure you have spacer washers under line cup,otherwise you will twist forestay when furling.You should replace it no matter usually ten years in life of rigging.You can download manual on CDI website if you don,t have it.I have a 95 23.5 so you probably have #2.

 

[Chuck Creel]

No question about it.

Relace it before you have it fail and loose your mast under sail.
This is usually cuased by halyard wrap and can lead to this. I would suggest a halyard restrainer installed at top of mast. They arent expensive.

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